Page 1 of 10 THE FERRIES ACT, 1878 CONTNETS I. – PRELIMINARY 1. Short title 2. [ Repeal ] 3. Interpretation clause 3A. Definition II. – PUBLIC FERRIES 4. Power to declare, establish, and discontinue public ferries 5. Claims for compensation 6. Superintendence of public ferries 7. Management may be vested in municipality 7A . Management may be vested in District Council or District or Local Board 8. Letting ferry tolls by auction 9. Recovery of arrears from lessee 10. Power to cancel lease 11. Surrender of lease 12. Power to make rules 13. Private ferry not to ply within two miles of public ferry without sanction 14. Person using approaches, etc., liable to pay toll Page 2 of 10 15. Tolls 16. Table of tolls 17. Tolls, rents, compensa tion and fines are to form part of revenues of Province 18. Compounding for tolls III. – PRIVATE FERRIES 19. Power to make rules 20. Tolls IV. – PENALTIES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 21. Penalty for breach of provisions as to table of tolls, list of tolls and r eturn of traffic 22. Penalty for taking unauthorized toll, and for causing delay 23. Penalty for breach of rule made under sections 12 and 19 24. Cancelment of lease on default or breach of rules 25. Penalties on passengers offending 26. Penalty for maintaining private ferry within prohibited limits. 27. Fines payable to lessee 28. Penalty for rash navigation and stacking of timber 29. Power to arrest without warrant 30. Power to try summarily 31. Magistrate may assess damage done by offender V. - MISCELLANEOUS 32. Power to take possession of boats, etc., on surrender or cancellation of lease 33. Similar power in cases of emergency 34. Jurisdiction of Civil Courts barred 35. Delegation of Powers 36. [ Repeal] Page 3 of 10 THE FERRIES ACT , 1878 1 ACT No. XVII OF 1878 [9th November, 1878] An Act to regulate Ferries 2 * * *. Preamble. WHEREAS it is expedient to regulate ferries in 3 [certain Provinces]; It is hereby enacted as follows: ___ I. – PRELIMINARY 1. Short title. This Act may be called the 4 * * Ferries Act, 1878. Local extent. 5 [It extends only to 6 [the Punjab] 7 [and the North - West Frontier Province]. Commencement. It shall come into force in each of the said territories on such date 8 as the 9 [appropriate Governm ent] may, by notification in the official Gazette, fix in this behalf. 2. [ Repeal. ] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1938 (I of 1938), s. 2 and Sch. 3. Interpretation clause. In this Act the word “ferry” includes also a bridge of boats, pontoons or rafts, a sw ing - bridge, a flying - bridge and a temporary bridge, and the approaches to, and landing - places of, a ferry. 1 0 [ 3A. Definition. In this Act, “appropriate Government” means – (a) in relation to national highways and strategic roads declared as such by or under a Federal Law, the Federal Government; and (b) in relation to other matters the Provincial Government.] II. – PUBLIC FERRIES 4. Power to declare, establish, define , and disc ontinue public ferries. – The 11 [appropriate Government] may from time to time – (a) declare what ferries shall be deemed public ferries, and the respective districts in which, for the purposes of this Act, they shall be deemed to be situate; 1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1878. Pt. V, p. 135, for Preliminary Report of the Select Committee, see ibid., p. 210; for Proceedings in Council, see ibid. Supplement, pp. 286, 325, 1104 and 1194. 2 The words “in Northern Indi a” omitted by A. O., 1949, Sch. 3 Subs. ibid., for “the Punjab, the North - Western Provinces, Oudh, Central Provinces, Assam, and Ajmer and Merwara”. 4 The words “Northern India” omitted ibid. 5 Subs. ibid., for the original paragraph. 6 Subs. by the Federa l Laws (Revision and Declaration) Act, l95l (26 of 1951), s. 8, for “West Punjab”. 7 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975 Art. 2 and Sch., for “the North - West Frontier and the district of Sylhet”. 8 The Act was brought into force in – The Punjab on 1st April 1881: see P unjab Gazette, Pt. I, p. 139. 9 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Provincial Government” which was subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”. 1 0 Section 3A ins. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and 2nd Sc h.. 11 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art 2 and Sch., for “Provincial Government” which had been subs by A.O., 1907, for “L.G”. Page 4 of 10 (b) take possession of a private ferry and declare it to be a public ferry; (c) establish new public ferries where, in its opinion, they are needed; (d) define the limits of any public ferry ; (e) change the course of any public ferry; and (f) disconti nue any public ferry which it deems unnecessary. Every such 1 declaration, establishment, definition, change or discontinuance shall be made by notification in the official Gazette. 2 [ * * * * * * * ] Provided 3 * that, when any alteration in the course or in the limits of a public ferry is rendered necessary by changes in the river, such alteration may be made, by an order under his hand, by the 4 Commissioner of the division in which such f erry is situate, or by such other officer as the 5 [appropriate Government] may, from time to time, appoint by name or in virtue of his office in this behalf. 5. Claims for compensation. Claims for compensation for any loss sustained by any person in conse quence of a private ferry being taken possession of under section 4 shall be inquired into by the Magistrate of the district in which such ferry is situate, or such officer as he appoints in this behalf, and submitted for the consideration and orders of th e 5 [appropriate Government]. 6. Superintendence of public ferries. The immediate superintendence of every public ferry shall, except as provided in section 7 6 [and section 7A], be vested in the Magistrate of the district in which such ferry is situate, or in such other officer as the 5 [appropriate Government] may, from time to time, appoint by name or in virtue of his office in this behalf 7 , and such Magistrate or officer shall, except when the tolls at such ferry are leased, make all necessary arrangements for the supply of boats for such ferry, and for the collection of the authorised tolls leviable thereat. 7. Management may be vested in municipality. The 5 [appropriate Government] may direct that any public ferry situate within the limits of a town be managed by the officer or public body charged with the superintendence of the municipal arrangements of such town; 8 [and thereupon that ferry shall be managed accordingly.] 1 For such declarati ons, etc. see different local rules and orders. 2 The original provisio which was first subs. by the Devolution Act, 1920 (28 of 1920) and then amended by A.O., 1937, have bee n omitted by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and Second Sch. (with effect from the 14th October I955). 3 The word “also” omitted by Ord. 21 of 1960, s. 3 and Second Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955). 4 In the N.W.F.P. references to “Commissioner” or “Commissioner or a division” are to b e construed as referring to the Revenue Commissioner: see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 (7 of 1901), s. 6 (1) (f). 5 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art 2 and Sch., for “Provincial Government” which had been subs by A.O., 1907, for “L.G”. 6 Ins. in the application of the Act to – The Punjab, by the Punjab District Boards Act, 1883 (20 of 1883), s. 79. 7 For notifications as to th e superintendence of ferries in the Punjab see Punjab Rules and Orders. 8 Subs. by A.O. , 1937, for the following words : - “and may further direct that all or any part of the proceeds from such ferry be paid into the municipal fund of such town ; And thereupon such ferry shall be managed, and such proceeds or part thereof shall be paid, accordingly”. Page 5 of 10 1 [ 7A . Management may be vested in District Council or District or Local Board. The l[appropriate Government] may direct 2 that any public ferry, wholly or partly within the area subject to the authority of a District Council or a District Board or a Local Board i n the Province be managed by that Council or Board, and there upon that ferry shall be managed accordingly.] 3 [ 8. Letting ferry tolls by auction. The tolls of any public ferry may, from time to time be let by public auction for a term not exceeding five y ears with the approval of the 4 Commissioner, or by public auction, or otherwise than by public auction, for any term with the previous sanction of the l[appropriate Government.] The lessee shall conform to the rules made under this Act for the management and control of the ferry, and may be called upon by the officer in whom the immediate superintendence of the ferry is vested, or, if the ferry is managed by a municipal or other public body under section 7 or section 7A, then by that body, to give such sec urity for his good conduct and for the punctual payment of the rent as the officer or body, as the case may be, thinks fit. When the tolls are put up to public auction, the said officer or body, as the case may be, or the officer conducting the sale on hi s or its behalf, may, for reasons recorded in writing, refuse to accept the offer of the highest bidder, and may accept any other bid, or may withdraw the tolls from auction.] 9. Recovery of arrears from lessee. All arrears due by the lessee of the tolls of a public ferry on account of his lease may be recovered from the lessee or his surety (if any) by the Magistrate of the district in which such ferry is situate as if they were arrears of land - revenue. 10. Power to cancel lease. The 5 [appropriate Govern ment] may cancel the lease of the tolls of any public ferry on the expiration of six months’ notice in writing to the lessee of its intention to cancel such lease. When any lease is cancelled under this section, the Magistrate of the district in which suc h ferry is situate shall pay to the lessee such compensation as such Magistrate may, with the previous sanction of the 5 [appropriate Government], award. 11. Surrender of lease. The lessee of the tolls of a public ferry may surrender his lease on the expir ation of one month’s notice in writing to the 5 [appropriate Government] of his intention to surrender such lease, and on payment to the Magistrate of the district in which such ferry is situate of such compensation as such Magistrate, subject to the approv al of the 4 Commissioner, may in each case direct. 12. Power to make rules. Subject to the control of the 5 [appropriate Government] the 4 Commissioner of a division, or such other officer as the 5 [appropriate Government] may from time to time, appoint in this behalf, by name or in virtue of his office, may, from time to time, make rules, consistent with this Act ___ 1 Subs. ibid., for section 7A inserted by the Acts mentioned in foot note 6 supra. 2 For notifications vesting the management of c ertain ferries in District Boards see the Punjab Rules and Orders. 3 Subs. for the original section 8 by the Northern India Ferries Act Amdt. Act, 1886 (3 of 1886), s. 1. 4 In the N.W.F.P. references to “Commissioner” or “Commissioner or a division” are to be construed as referring to the Revenue Commissioner: see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 (7 of 1901), s. 6 (1) (f). 5 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Provincial Government” which had been subs by A.O., 1907, for “L.G”. Page 6 of 10 (a) for the control and the management of all public ferries 1 within such division and for regulating the traffic at, such ferries; 2 [(b) for regulating the time and manner at and in which and the terms on which, the tolls of such ferries may be let by auction, and prescribing the persons by whom auctions may be conducted ;] (c) for compensating persons who have compounded for tolls payable for the use of any such ferry when such ferry has been discontinued before the expiration of the period compounde d for; and (d) generally to carry out the purposes or this Act; and, when the tolls of a ferry have been let under section 8, such 2 Commissioner or other officer may, from time to time subject as aforesaid), make additional rules consistent with this Act – (e) for collecting the rents payable for the tolls of such fe rries; (f) in cases in which the communication is to be established by means of a bridge of boats, pontoons or rafts, or a swing - bridge, flying - bridge or temporary bridge, for regulating the time and manner at and in which such bridge shall be constructe d and maintained and opened for the passage of vessels and rafts through the same, and (g) in cases in which the traffic is conveyed in boats, for regulating (1) the number and kind of such boats and their dimensions and equipment, (2) the number of the crew to be kept by the lessee for each boat; (3) the maintenance of such boats continually in good condition ; (4) the hours during which, and the intervals within which, the lessee shall be bound to ply; and (5) the number of passengers, animals and vehic les, and the bulk and weight of other things, that may be carried in each kind of boat at one trip. The lessee shall make such returns of traffic as the 3 Commissioner or other officer as aforesaid may, from time to time, require. 13. Private ferry not to ply within two miles of public ferry without sanction. 4 [Except with the sanction of the Magistrate of the district or of such other officer as the 5 [appropriate Government] may, from time to time, appoint in this behalf, by name or in virtue of his offic e, no person shall establish, maintain or work a ferry to or from any point within a distance of two miles from the limits of a public ferry]: Provided that, in the case of any specified public ferry, the 5 [appropriate Government] may, by notification in the official Gazette, reduce or increase the said distance of two miles to such extent as it thinks fit: 1 The words “within such division” are to be omitted in the N. W.F.P. see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 (7 of 1901), s. 3 and Sch. 2 Subs. by the Northern India Ferries Act Amendment Act, 1886 (3 of 1886), s. 1 (2), for the original cl. (b). 3 In the N.W.F.P. reference to “Commissioner” or “Commissioner or a divi sion” are to be construed as referring to the Revenue Commissioner: see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 (7 of 1901), s. 6 (1) (f). 4 Subs. by the Northern India Ferries Act Amendment Act, 1886 (3 of 1886), s. 2 (I), for the original para. 5 S ubs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Provincial Government” which had been subs. by A.O., 1907, for “L.G”. Page 7 of 10 Provided also that nothing hereinbefore contained shall prevent persons plying between two places, one of which is without, and one within, the said limits, when the distance between such two places is not less than three miles, or apply to boats 2 [which d o not ply for hire, or] which the 1 [appropriate Government] expressly exempts from the operation of this section. 14. Person using approaches, etc., liable to pay toll. Whoever uses the approach to, or landing - place of, a public ferry is liable to pay the toll payable for crossing such ferry. 15. Tolls . 3 Tolls, according to such rates as are, from time to time, fixed by the 1 [appropriate Government], shall be levied on all persons, animals, vehicles and other things crossing any river by a public ferry and not employed or transmitted on the public service: Provided that the 1 [appropriate Government] may, from time to time, de clare that any persons, animals, vehicles or other things shall be exempt from payment of such tolls. Where the tolls of a ferry have been let under section 8, any such declaration, if made after the date of the 4 [lease], shall entitle the lessee to such a batement of the rent payable in respect of the tolls as may be fixed by the 5 Commissioner of the division or such other officer as the 1 [appropriate Government] may, from time to time, appoint in this behalf by name or in virtue of his office. 16. Table o f tolls. The lessee or other person authorised to collect the tolls of any public ferry shall affix a table of such tolls, legibly written or printed in the vernacular language and, also if the 5 Commissioner of the division so directs, in English in some c onspicuous place near the ferry, List of tolls. and shall be bound to produce, on demand, a list of the tolls, signed by the Magistrate of the district or such other officer as he appoints in this behalf. 6 [ 17. Tolls, rents, compensation and fines are to form part of revenues of Province. All tolls, rents, compensation and fines under this Act (other than tolls received by any lessee) shall form part of the revenues of the 7 [Federation of the Province, as the case may be]. 18. Compounding for tolls. The 1 [appropriate Government] may, if it thinks fit, from time to time, fix rates at which any person may compound for the tolls payable for the use of a public ferry. III. – PRIVATE FERRIES 19. Power to make rules. – The 4 Commissioner of the division may, with t he pre - vious sanction of the 1 [appropriate Government], from time to time, make rules for the maintenance of order and for the safety of passengers and property at ferries other than public ferries. 1 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Provincial Government” which had been subs. by A.O., 1907, for “L.G”. 2 Ins. by Act 3 of 1886, s. 2 (2). 3 So much of section 15 is repealed as provides for the exemption from tolls of any person, animals, vehic les or other things exempted by the Indian Tolls (Army) Act, 1901 (2 of 1901), s. 3 ; see section 8 of that Act. For rates and exemptions under this section, see different local R. and O. 4 Subs. by the Northern India Ferries Act Amdt. Act, 1886 (3 of 188 6), s. 1 (3) for “auction”. 5 In the N.W.F.P. references to “Commissioner” or “Commissioner or a division” are to be construed as referring to the Revenue Commissioner: see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 (7 of 1901), s. 6 (1) (f). 6 Subs. by A.O., 1937 for the original section 17, which prescribed how the tolls, rents, compensation and fines under the Act should be disposed of in the various Provinces. See, however, para. 4 of the India and Burma (Transitory Provisions) Order, 1937. 7 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Province”. Page 8 of 10 20. Tolls. The tolls charged at such ferries shall not exceed the highest rates for the time being fixed under section 15 for similar public ferries. IV. – PENALTIES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 21. Penal ty for breach of provisions as to table of tolls, list of tolls and return of traffic. Every lessee or other person authorised to collect the tolls of a public ferry, who neglects to affix and keep in good order and repair the table of tolls mentioned in s ection 16, or who willfully removes, alters or defaces such table, or allows it to become illegible, or who fails to produce on demand the list of the tolls mentioned in section 16, and every lessee who neglects to furnish any return required under section 12, shall the punished with fine which may extend to fifty rupees. 22. Penalty for taking unauthorized toll, and for causing delay. Every such lessee or other person as aforesaid and any person in possession of a private ferry asking or taking more than the lawful toll, or without due cause delaying any person, animal, vehicle or other thing, shall be punished with fine which may exten d to one hundred rupees. 23. Penalty for breach of rule made under sections 12 and 19. Every person breaking any rule made under section 12 or section 19 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both. 24. Cancelment of lease on default or breach of rules. When any lessee of the tolls of a public ferry makes default in the payment of the rent payable in respect of such tolls, or has been convicted of an offen ce under section 23, or, having been convicted of an offence under section 21 or section 22, is again convicted of an offence under either of those sections, the Magistrate of the district may, with the sanction of the 1 Commissioner of the division, cancel the lease of the tolls of such ferry, and make other arrangements for its management during the whole or any part of the term for which the tolls were let. 25. Penalties on passengers offending. Every person crossing by any public ferry, or using the app roach to, or landing place thereof, who refuse to pay the proper toll, and every person - who, with intent to avoid payment of such toll, fraudulently or forcibly crosses by any such ferry without paying the toll, or who obstructs any toll - collector or le ssee of the tolls of a public ferry or any of his assistants in any way in the execution of their duty under this Act, or who, after being warned by any such toll - collector, lessee or assistant not to do so, goes or takes any animals, vehicles or other th ings into any ferry - boat, or upon any bridge at such a ferry, which is in such a state or so loaded as to endanger human life or property, or who refuses or neglects to leave, or remove any animals, vehicles or goods from , any such ferry - boat or bridge, on being requested by such toll - collector, lessee or assistant to do so, shall be punished with fine which may extend to fifty rupees. 1 In the N.W.F.P. references to “Commissioner” or “Commissioner or a division” are to be construed as referring to the Revenue Commissioner: see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 (7 of 1901), s. 6 (1) (f). Page 9 of 10 1 [26. Penalty for maintaining private ferry within prohibited limits. Whoever establishes, maintains or works a ferry in contravention of the provisions of section 13 shall be punished with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, and with a further fine which may extend to one hundred rupees for every day during which the ferry is maintained or worked in contravention of those provisions.] 27. Fines payable to lessee. Where the tolls of any public ferry have been let under the provisions herein before contained, the whole or any portion of any fine realised under secti on 25 or section 26 may, notwithstanding anything contained in section 17, be at the discretion of the convicting Magistrate or Bench of Magistrates, paid to the lessee. 28. Penalty for rash navigation and stacking of timber. Whoever navigates, anchors, m oors or fastens any vessel or raft, or stacks any timber in a manner so rash or negligent as to damage a public ferry shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both; and the toll - collector or lessee of the tolls of such ferry, or any of his assistants, may seize and detain such vessel, raft or timber pending the inquiry and assessment hereinafter mentioned. 29. Power to arrest without warrant. The police may arrest without warrant any person committing an offence against section 25 or section 28. 30. Power to try summarily. Any Magistrate or Bench of Magistrates having summary jurisdiction under Chapter 2 [XXII of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898)], may try any offence against this Act in manner provided by that Chapter. 31. Magistrate may assess damage done by offender. Every Magistrate or Bench of Magistrates trying any offence under this Act may inquire into and assess the value of the damage (if any ) done or caused by the offender to the ferry concerned, and shall order the amount of such value to be paid by him in addition to any fine imposed upon him under this Act; and the amount so ordered to be paid shall be leviable as if it were a fine, or, when the offence is one under section 28, by the sale of the vessel, raft or timber causing the damage and of anything found in or upon such vessel or raft. The 3 Commissioner of the division may, on the appeal of any person deemi ng himself aggrieved by an order under this section, reduce or remit the amount payable under such order. V. - MISCELLANEOUS 32. Power to take possession of boats, etc., on surrender or cancellation of lease. When the lease of the tolls of any ferry is surr endered under section 11 or cancelled under section 24, the Magistrate of the district may take possession of all boats and their equipment and all other material and appliances used by the lessee for the purposes of such ferry, and use the same (paying su ch compensation for the use thereof as the 4 [appropriate Government] may in each case direct) until such Magistrate can conveniently procure proper substitutes therefor. 1 Subs. by the Northern India Ferries Act Amdt. Act, 1886 (3 of 1886), s. 2(3), for t he original section 26. 2 Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and 2nd Sch., for “XVIII of the Code of Criminal Procedure”. 3 In the N.W.F.P. references to “Commissioner” or “Commissioner or a division” ar e to be construed as referring to the Revenue Commissioner: see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 (7 of 1901), s. 6 (1) (f). 4 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art 2 and Sch., for “Provincial Government” which had been subs. by A.O., 1907, for “L.G”. Page 10 of 10 33 . Similar power in cases of emergency. - When any boats or their equipment or any materials or appliances suitable for setting up a ferry, are emergently required for facilitating the transport of officers, or troops of l [Pakistan] on duty, or of any other persons on the business of l [Government], or of any animals, vehicles or baggage belonging to such officers, troops or persons or of any property of l [Government], the Magistrate of the district may take possession of an d use the same (paying such compensation for the use thereof as 2 [the 3 [Federal Government], where the transport is in connection with the affairs of the 3 [Federal Government] and the Provincial Government in other cases], may in each case direct) until su ch transport is completed. 34. Jurisdiction of Civil Courts barred. – No suit to ascertain the amount of any compensation payable, or abatement of rent allowable, under this Act shall be cognizable by any Civil Court. 35. Delegation of Powers. – The 4 [approp riate Government] may, from time to time, delegate, under such restrictions as it thinks fit, any of the powers conferred on it by this Act to any 5 Commissioner of a division or Magistrate of a district, or to such other officer as it thinks fit, by name o r by virtue of his office. 36. [ Validation of proceeding since repeal of Regulation VI of 1891 in Punjab. ] Rep. by the Amending Act, 1891 (XII of 1891). __________ Date: 16 - 09 - 2024 1 Subs. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch. for “Her Majesty” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 2 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “the LG.”. 3 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 4 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Sch., for "Provin cial Government" which had been subs. by A.O., 1907, for "L.G". 5 In the N.W .F.P, references to "Commissioner" or "Commissioner or a division" are to be construed as referring to the Revenue Commissioner; see the N.W.F.P. Law and Justice Regulation, 1901 ( 7 of 1901), s. 6 (1)(f).